TESTING AND STANDARDISATION

Standards and Test Centres

Seven Indian standards for PV modules and other related aspects have been developed. Most of the standards are in line with the relevant IEC standards.

Specifications of SPV Systems

The Ministry has drawn specifications for procurement of solar lanterns, home lighting systems / solar home systems, street lighting systems and solar water pumping systems by the implementing agencies for deployment under the programmes of the Ministry. These specifications are periodically up dated in consultation with the industry.
It is mandatory for manufacturers/suppliers to obtain a test certificate from SEC or other authorized test centers for supply of solar lighting systems under the programmes of the Ministry. The interested manufacturers are required to submit a proof of being original equipment manufacturer in a format available in the administrative approval of the SPV programmes of the Ministry.
Testing Centres

Solar Energy Centre is the lead test centre set up by MNES. There are three test centers , which have been authorized to test solar lanterns and other lighting systems. Two centers are involved in testing of PV modules.
Training Organizations

Solar Energy Centre is one of the lead organizations in the country imparting training on various aspects of PV technology.

Solar Energy Centre,

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
Gwal Pahari, Gurgaon - Faridabad Road,
Gurgaon - 122 001, Haryana
Telephone : 011- 2436 0331 (New Delhi),
95124 - 2579207, 95124 - 2579208 (SEC, Gurgaon)

TEST CENTERS FOR PV PRODUCTS

Electronics Regional Test Laboratory (East), D N Block, Sector V, Salt Lake City, Bidhan Nagar, Calcutta - 700 091 Fax : 033-23679472 / 23678974 E.mail : ertleast@ertle.ernet.in	Solar Lighting Systems
Central Power Research Institute Energy Conservation and Development Division PB No. 8066 Sir C.V. Raman Road Bangalore 560 080 Tel No. 080-23604682, Fax : 080-23601213	Solar Lighting Systems
Solar Energy Centre (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy) Gwal Pahari, Gurgaon - Faridabad Road, Gurgaon - 122 001, Haryana, Telephone : 011- 2436 0331 (New Delhi), 0124 - 2579207, 0124- 2579208 (SEC, Gurgaon)	Cells, modules, systems & Developmental Testing
Electronics Test and Development Centre (ETDC) Ring Road, Peenya Industrial Estate, Bangalore - 560 058 Telephone - 080 - 8395992, 080- 9394766 Fax - 080- 839 1804	PV modules

As on 31^st December, 2008 only SEC and ERTL (East) are authorized to test white LED based solar lighting systems. The format for the tests has been designed by SEC and can be obtained from SEC.

INDIAN STANDARDS ON PHOTOVOLTAICS

Establishment of national standards for PV devices and systems has been taken up by MNES with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Following Indian Standards have been published:

1.   IS-12762 (Pt.1): 1989- Photovoltaic devices: Part 1. Measurement of PV current and voltage characteristics.

2.   IS 12762 (Pt.2) : 1989- Photovoltaic devices : Part 2 : Requirement for reference Solar Cells

3.   IS-12763: 1989: Procedures for temperature and irradiance corrections to measure I-V characteristics of crystalline silicon PV devices.

4.   IS-12834: 1989: Solar photovoltaic energy systems - Terminology

5.   14153 : 1994      Guide for General Description of Photovoltaic (PV) Power Generating System.

6.   IS 14244 : 1995 : Characteristic parameters of stand alone photovoltaic (PV) systems

7.   IS 14286 : 1995 : Qualification test procedures for crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules

Above mentioned standards are identical to the corresponding IEC/TC-82 standards.   Indian standards for other items like batteries, inverters, service conditions for PV systems in India, safety guidelines for grid connected PV systems mounted on buildings etc. are under consideration.